The police in Delta State have arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms and 12 live cartridges during operations across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said in a statement on Friday that the arrests were made on Thursday in Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas.

Edafe said the operations followed intelligence reports that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, had gathered at a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba, for an alleged cult anniversary celebration.

He said a combined team of operatives from the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad, Asaba Sector, and Command Anti-Cult Unit raided the hotel and arrested 67 suspects, including 12 women.

The police recovered two pump-action guns, a locally made cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets bearing similar insignia.

“In a related operation at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of RRS Agbor Sector arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, with items suspected to be linked to the same Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC),” Edafe said.

He added that operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, working with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, following intelligence about a gathering of suspects.

The operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24, while others fled.

The police recovered two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms.

Edafe said 10 additional suspects were arrested over suspected cult activities in Jebbo community, Okpe Local Government Area.

He added that the suspects and recovered items were in police custody, while investigations continued.